Jamie Carragher has attributed most of the responsibility for Manchester United’s lackluster loss to Everton to Ruben Amorim, focusing on the manager’s tactics rather than the players’ performance. The Liverpool legend criticized Amorim’s defensive strategy at Old Trafford, suggesting it played a major role in the defeat.

Early in the first half, United seemed to gain an unexpected advantage when Everton was reduced to 10 players. Idrissa Gueye received a straight red card following an altercation with fellow teammate Michael Keane.

Despite the numerical advantage, United failed to capitalize, and it was Everton who took the lead. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, a summer signing, scored a stunning goal from a distance, putting the visitors ahead.

Post-match, Carragher highlighted how Amorim’s inflexible approach contributed to Manchester United’s inability to break through Everton’s defenses effectively.

On Monday Night Football, Carragher remarked, “Ruben Amorim is the first manager I’ve observed who adheres to a system rather than a playing philosophy.” He contrasted this with Portugal manager Roberto Martinez’s style, noting, “With you, Roberto, there’s always a clear approach with the ball, which defines your teams.”

Ruben Amorim was called out by Jamie Carragher for his dogged commitment to his formation

The manager’s Manchester United side were beaten at home by a 10-man travelling Everton

‘The formation might change but, Ruben Amorim, the formation is his baby. 

‘And to not change it or alter it in situations like that, I don’t understand how you can stick with something so steadfastly, when it’s basically one guy up front, who’s not really up front.

‘You don’t need three players there,’ Carragher explained, of Amorim’s favoured 3-4-3 set-up. ‘Maybe you put midfield players there? 

‘We see managers do that, take a centre back off and bring a midfield player in, because you’re going to have so much more of the ball, so much more of possession.’ 

Amorim’s feverish devotion to his preferred formation has been a point of contention at a number of different moments since his arrival at Old Trafford last November. 

At the time, Amorim inherited a squad from former manager Erik ten Hag which was less than well-suited to the shape, but the new head coach had no interested in altering his philosophy. 

After stuttering to a 15th-place finish in last year’s Premier League campaign, Amorim had the opportunity to rebuild his ranks and work on his ideas over pre-season – but Man United continued to struggle at the start of the 2025-26 season too. 

In September, Amorim sensationally invited the Man United hierarchy to sack him, as he had no intention of changing his plan. 

The hosts were handed an unexpected gift when Idrissa Gueye was sent off for fighting with his own team-mate

Carragher argued that Amorim failed to capitalise on the situation and was worthy of blame

Man United squandered an opportunity to move into the top four amid a mixed campaign

‘I am not going to change. When I want to change my philosophy, I will change. If not, you have to change the man,’ Amorim said after a demoralising 3-0 defeat to crosstown rivals Man City. 

‘Losing faith in your ability to turn the situation around? No, that is not the way. I believe in my way and I am going to play my way until I want to change.’

Results at Old Trafford have been somewhat more promising as autumn has progressed, but defeat at home to David Moyes’ side represents a significant set-back for Amorim and Co.  

‘I actually think it’s not the losing the three points tonight – they can make that up through the season – but it’s one of those moments where a lot of people will question the manager after this defeat,’ Carragher added. 

‘They’ll look at the players, and we know the players should do better, but the manager will take a lot of the blame tonight.’ 

Amorim admitted that he was personally troubled with the results, saying: ‘I feel afraid of returning to this feeling of last season, that is my biggest concern. 

‘We need to work together. We are going to work together. The players are trying but we need to be better. We have training tomorrow and we are going to prepare the next one.

‘The way we see the results of the weekend, we should get inside the pitch with a different excitement. That is my feeling.

‘It doesn’t matter if you are playing well, making good passes, but the feeling, and Old Trafford was there saying we are all here to give you a big step up and I felt that we were not ready.

‘Again, these five weeks everyone is praising our evolution. I’m always saying the same things. We are not even near at the moment where we’re supposed to be in this club.’